The Argonauts’ early lead in
the East Division has been whittled down to just one game at 5-4 after
back-to-back losses to Calgary and Montreal both straight-up and against the
spread the last two weeks. They are 4-5 ATS with the total going ‘Over’ in five
of the nine games. This past Tuesday’s night’s 20-9 loss to the Alouettes as
six-point home favorites raised some glaring concerns for an offense that has
only managed to score a combined 23 points in its last two games.

The big question for Sunday
night’s showdown will be the availability of quarterback Ricky Ray, whose
absence from the lineup is the primary reason for the power outage on offense.
He was off to a blazing start with 1,824 passing yards and 15 touchdown throws
while completing an amazing 78.3 percent of his passes. In his place, Zach
Collaros has struggled to effectively move the ball down the field.

Montreal has some quarterback
concerns as well with long-time veteran Anthony Calvillo still suffering effects
from a concussion, but fans may be getting a glimpse of the future with Tanner
Marsh playing in his place. He has only completed 55.7 percent of his throws
for 671 yards and two scores, but the Alouettes are finding ways to win games
with him at the helm.

They are just one game back
in the East at 4-5 SU after winning three of their last five games while going
a profitable 4-1 ATS. The total has stayed ‘Under’ in three of Montreal’s last
four games and in three of five home games this year. It has also gotten a much
better effort on the defensive side of the ball behind linebacker Chip Cox, who
leads the CFL in tackles with 71 and defensive lineman Kyries Hebert, who has
already recorded seven sacks this season.

Toronto vs. Montreal Betting Lines and Trends

Early CFL betting lines for this
matchup has Montreal listed as a 2.5-point home favorite with the total line
set at 54.

The Argonauts are 10-4 SU in
their last 14 games and 5-1 SU in their last six games on the road. The total
has stayed ‘Under’ in five of their last seven road games.

The Alouettes are 2-4 SU in
their last six games at home and 2-6 ATS in their last eight home games. The
total has stayed ‘Under’ in eight of their last 10 games played at home.

Head-to-head in this
divisional matchup, Toronto is just 5-15 SU in the last 15 meetings overall and
8-17 SU in its last 25 road games against Montreal. The total has stayed ‘Under’
in the last five meetings in Montreal.

If Ray is ready to go then
Toronto has a chance in this game, but given the current scenario for both teams’
quarterback situation for this contest, the free CFL pick is with Montreal to
cover at home in a SU win. The Alouettes are the slightly better all-around
team right now and the past trends in this series weigh heavily in their favor.